England U20s fall to South Africa in Junior World Championship

A brave second half comeback almost overcame a disastrous opening quarter, but England U20s' Junior World Championship hopes took a hit following Sunday's 31-24 defeat to South Africa.

England threw the proverbial kitchen sink at the Baby Boks having trailed 21-7 at half time. From a Gloucester viewpoint, Elliott Stooke crossed for an early second half try and Ross Moriarty put in a magnificent effort on the flank.

But Nick Walshe's charges were left to rue a first 20 minutes which left them with a mountain to climb.

A try conceded in the first 90 minutes was followed by a period of ill discipline which saw England virtually penalised out of the game.

Things were looking grim at 16-0, but got even worse when Matt Hankin of Saracens threw a pass that was picked off for a try.

However, as half time approached, there was a glimmer of hope when Sam Hill's break resulted in a try for fellow centre Harry Sloan.

Stooke smashed his way over in the corner at the start of the second half, only for Henry Slade to promptly have a kick charged down, gifting another score to South Africa.

England had a let off when South Africa were denied another try and things got interesting when Henry Purdy's try got his team back within a score at 31-24.

There were chances in the final quarter of an hour, but overlaps were squandered and turnovers conceded deep in the South African 22.

Given another few minutes, England could well have snatched this but the poor start to the game left them with just too much to do.

Hartpury U18s won the AASE league for the sixth year in a row last week beating Filton College in the Final at Allianz Park by 50 points to nil, while Bromsgrove School won their first NatWest U18 Schools Cup.

On loan centre Brendan Macken will make his first start for Gloucester Rugby as the Cherry and Whites resume their Aviva Premiership campaign on Sunday when they take on the Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium.